3 ideas for weekends exploring perfume & hilltop villages around Grasse

Do you dream of a weekend filled with the scent of flowers, warm stones and sweet treats? Around Grasse, you can visit historic perfumeries, hilltop villages and gourmet stops in just two or three nights, without spending all your time in the car.

In this article, you will find 3 ready-made weekend ideas:

• for a couple who want to treat themselves,

• for a family with children,

• For a group of friends or a large family (up to 8 people) who want to share a large, comfortable flat in the heart of Grasse.

  
  

👉 Important: RivieraBooking does not organise tours or workshops. Here you will find ideas for programmes that you can adapt as you wish. For each activity, you book directly with the organisers (museums, tourist offices, sweet shops, etc.).

Why combine perfume, hilltop villages and gourmet delights around Grasse?

Grasse is the world capital of perfume, with its museums, historic houses and creative workshops. Less than 30–40 minutes away, you will also find:

• hilltop villages such as Gourdon or Tourrettes-sur-Loup,

• places where flowers and citrus fruits are enjoyed in sweets, chocolates, syrups, and more.

By choosing Grasse as your base, you can:

• leave the car parked for part of the stay,

• do everything in short day trips,

• Come back in the evening to a spacious flat to cook, play, chat and enjoy the historic centre once the day's excursions are over.

Weekend No. 1 – Two nights among historic perfumeries, Gourdon and sweet treats at Pont du Loup

Who is this weekend for?

This first weekend is perfect if you want to:

• discover the classics of Grasse (perfumeries, historic centre),

• visit Gourdon, hilltop village listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France"

• add a sweet touch with a confectionery from the Loup Valley.

Ideal:

• For a couple who want a condensed version of the region over two nights,

• For families with children (the sweets and panoramic views are very popular).

You can do it in 2 nights (arriving on Friday, leaving on Sunday) or stretch it out over 3 nights to slow down the pace.

Day 1 – Fragrant first steps in the historic centre of Grasse

Morning/early afternoon: arrival and settling in

• Arrival in Grasse, settling into your 95 m² flat in the heart of the historic centre.

• Depending on your arrival time, coffee break or lunch in the narrow streets.

Afternoon: perfume discovery

• Visit a historic perfumery (museum + factory) and possibly a perfume creation workshop to compose your own eau de toilette.

• Stroll through the town centre: medieval streets, views of the countryside, small shops.

Evening: Grasse by night

• Dinner at a restaurant in the historic centre.

• Return to the flat to enjoy the communal areas: lounge, large table for playing with the children or putting the world to rights with friends.

👉 To learn more about perfumes, you can also read our dedicated article: Discover perfumery in Grasse: museums, workshops and gardens.

Day 2 – Hilltop villages & delicacies in the Loup Valley

Morning: heading for Gourdon

• Departure by car to Gourdon, Medieval hilltop village with spectacular views of the French Riviera.

• Stroll through the narrow streets, artisan shops, photos from the main square.

Lunch: panoramic view or picnic

• Lunch on site at a restaurant with a view, or a picnic if you prefer something simpler.

Afternoon: delicacies at Pont du Loup

• Descent through the Vallée du Loup and stop at a confectionery shop specialising in flowers and citrus fruits (such as candied fruit, chocolate-covered peel, fruit jellies, etc.).

• Tasting and purchasing gourmet souvenirs with flavours from the region.

Evening: return to Grasse

• Back at the flat: everyone can shower, change and rest in their room.

• Simple dinner at the flat (the children love it) or second dinner at a restaurant.

Day 3 – Leisurely stroll and last-minute perfume shopping (if staying for 3 night)

If you have chosen to stay for 3 nights, you can:

• revisit the historic centre at your own pace,

• buy the perfumes or cosmetics you spotted on the first day,

• add an extra little visit (garden or museum, depending on your preferences).

This day should remain flexible: ideal before hitting the road again.

Weekend No. 2 – 3 days of perfume, Tourrettes-sur-Loup & violet products

Who is this weekend for?

This second weekend focuses on:

• perfume manufacturing in Grasse,

• the city of violets: Tourrettes-sur-Loup,

• gourmet and artisanal products featuring violets.

It is quite suitable:

• to lovers of fragrant plants,

• Couples and families who want to discover a village that is less crowded than the coast, but very charming.

Day 1 – Grasse: museums and narrow streets

Over the weekend, you can:

• begin, as for weekend no. 1, with a visit to a perfumery (museum + possible workshop),

• explore local museums (such as a museum of perfume art and history) and narrow streets further.

Take advantage of this day to:

• find shops you can come back to,

• find your bearings in the historic centre from the flat,

• sit on a terrace overlooking the hills.

Day 2 – Tourrettes-sur-Loup, city of violets and artisans

Morning: drive to Tourrettes-sur-Loup

• Departure for Tourrettes-sur-Loup, hilltop village known for its tradition surrounding violets and its crafts.

• Stroll through the heart of the village: artists' studios, cobbled streets, views of the Loup Gorge.

Lunch: terrace with a view

• Lunch in the village or nearby, depending on the season and your preferences.

Afternoon: violets & related products

• Discover violet-flavoured products: sweets, syrups and sometimes cosmetics.

• Depending on the time of year, you can check with the local tourist office to find out if any specific events or tours are available (violet festival, greenhouse tours, etc.).

At the end of the day, return to Grasse for a quiet evening in the flat.

Day 3 – Fragrant gardens and return to Grasse

or a park/garden in the vicinity to see some of the plants used in perfumery in real life.

On this third day, you can:

• visit a garden dedicated to perfume plants,

• or a park/garden in the vicinity to see some of the plants used in perfumery in real life.

Then, return to the flat to gather your belongings, take one last stroll around town, and depart.

Weekend No. 3 – 2 or 3 nights for a large group: perfume, villages & convivial moments

Who is this weekend for?

This third weekend is designed for:

• a large family (grandparents, parents, children),

• a group of friends (up to 8 people),

• cousins who want to get together in the sunshine of the French Riviera.

The idea: enjoy a 95 m² flat with enough beds for everyone to share:

• breakfasts around the same table,

• lreturns from walks,

• game nights, drinks or discussions until late.

Sample programme for 2 nights

Day 1 – Arrival and gentle introduction to Grasse

• Settling into the flat, allocating rooms and beds.

• First stroll through the historic centre: ideal for everyone to find cafés, bakeries and small squares.

• Dinner out on the town or a meal prepared together in the flat.

Day 2 – Perfume + hilltop village

• Morning: group visit to a perfumery.

  • Everyone can choose to do the workshop or just the guided tour, depending on their preferences.

• Lunch: restaurant in Grasse or picnic prepared in the apartment kitchen.

• Afternoon: visit to a hilltop village (Gourdon or Tourrettes-sur-Loup) with free time for photos, shopping or a short walk around the village.

• Evening: return to the flat, drinks, convivial dinner.

The next morning, a leisurely breakfast before departure.

3-night option to take your time

With 3 nights, you can:

• keep the same structure as above,

• add a 3 day dedicated to delicacies:

  • visit to a sweet shop in the Loup Valley,

  • purchases of specialities (candied fruit, chocolates, syrups, etc.),

  • Free time for everyone to do what they want (shopping for perfume, going for a walk, reading in the flat).

3 nights also allow you to:

• to schedule nap time for the little ones,

• to manage everyone's schedules more easily.

Where to stay in Grasse for a weekend of perfume and hilltop villages?

To make the most of these weekends, it is important to stay in the heart of Grasse, so that you can:

• be able to do everything on foot in town (perfume shops, restaurants, museums),

• limit travel for excursions into the countryside,

• have a pleasant place to return to after a day of sightseeing.

The RivieraBooking apartment in Grasse offers:

• 95 m² of floor space,

• jsleeps up to 8 people,

• a location in the historic centre, close to the perfume museums,

• a large living room for sharing meals and evenings together.

👉 Discover photos, floor plan and amenities of our furnished flat in the historic centre of Grasse

When to come and how to tailor your weekend to the season?

• Spring (April–June): ideal periods for flowering and mild temperatures.

• Summer (July–August): warmer and busier, but the hilltop villages often offer a bit of coolness in the evenings.

• Autumn (September–October): very pleasant, fewer people, beautiful light.

• Winter: a quieter atmosphere, perfect if you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy museums, perfumeries and villages at a slower pace.

For each season, you can:

• adjust schedules (earlier departure in summer to avoid the heat),

• prioritise certain activities (more museums and gourmet food in winter, more walks in spring/autumn).

How to plan your own holiday (without any imposed organisation)?

The programmes on offer are there to inspire you. You are free to:

• swap days with each other,

• stay longer in a village you adore,

• add activities (workshops, guided tours, one-off events).

👉 RivieraBooking does not sell tours or workshops. You can tailor your stay to suit your needs by booking:

• tours and workshops directly at perfumeries or tourist offices,

• confectionery shops and village tours on their official websites,

• and accommodation directly with RivieraBooking.

To check the availability of the flat or ask any questions:

And to explore other types of fragrant breaks in the region, you can visit:

• Page: Ideas for perfume-themed holidays and discoveries in the Pays de Grasse region, starting from the historic centre.

• the article Discover perfumery in Grasse: museums, workshops & gardens (B1),

• the article on Gourdon (C1) or on Confiserie Florian (C3) for details on the gourmet stops.

Sources officielles suggérées .

To check opening hours, events and visiting arrangements, you can direct readers to:

• Pays de Grasse Tourist Office (information on perfumeries, activities, tours)

• Tourism portal for the Pays de Grasse region, offering a comprehensive range of tours and activities.

• Official website or tourist pages about Gourdon (presentation of the hilltop village, panoramic views, practical information).

• Tourrettes-sur-Loup tourist information office or website (city of violets, artisans, events calendar).

Foire aux questions (FAQ)